Legal experts say a subpoena used in a federal grand jury investigation into Oregon's fallen governor and his fiancée indicates that authorities are investigating possible violations of public corruption laws and financial crimes including wire or mail fraud, bribery and tax evasion. The subpoena was sent to the state's administrative agency on the same day Gov. John Kitzhaber announced his resignation.

"Oregonians deserve nothing less than a full and fair investigation of all the facts, as well as the opportunity to reach a resolution that will truly allow our state to move forward," Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement.

The resignation of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber instantly promoted the liberal Democrat who is next in line to succeed him: the 54-year-old secretary of state who has long been thought to have her eye on Oregon's top elected position.

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is showing no sign of walking away from a decades-long political career despite losing support from most of his party's leadership over allegations his fiancee used their relationship to land contracts for her green-energy business.

Just weeks after being sworn in for an unprecedented fourth term, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber finds himself fighting for his political life over allegations his fiancée used their relationship to win contracts for her consulting business and failed to report income on her taxes.

Oregon's top Democrats urged Gov. John Kitzhaber to resign Thursday, saying he cannot lead the state effectively amid a growing ethics scandal involving his fiancee, a green-energy consultant suspected of using their relationship to land contracts for her business.

Secretary of State Kate Brown issued a statement Thursday about her abrupt return to the state Wednesday from a conference in Washington, D.C. "This is clearly a bizarre and unprecedented situation," she said.